Al-Nisa Designs

Carmen Muhammad has made waves on an international platform debuting luxury modest fashion that has been featured in Torino Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week and Dubai Fashion Week in less than one year! And now she prepares to make a second appearance in Italy carrying her very own segment!

Here is her first candid conversation detailing what those experiences have been like!

TORINO, Italy—What more could a person ask for than for their life dream to become a reality before the entire world? Opportunities like that don’t come often so when Muslim fashion designer, Carmin Muhammad, was invited to participate in Torino Fashion Week in Italy, she accepted without hesitation.

Out of 125 participants, only five were invited from the United States, of which Carmin Muhammad of Al Nisa Designs, was the only Black modest designer.

From the moment, the Al Nisa Designs team stepped foot into Torino, Italy everyone wanted to know who they were and about the meaning of their distinct headpiece and garment. Every day numerous individuals and families would approach the group of women to meet them and take photos with them.

It was as if the whole city stopped to behold the presence of God in the Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class (M.G.T. and G.C.C.), the women and girls of the Nation of Islam under the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Minister Louis Farrakhan. The Muslim sisters received endless compliments on their attire and beauty throughout their weeklong stay. This year, Torino Fashion Week, June 28-July 3, featured a modest designer segment produced by the Islamic Fashion and Design Council, featuring over two dozen designers from around the world including Carmin Muhammad.

Ms. Muhammad, a long-time and experienced designer extended invitations to a small group of Al Nisa Designs team members to accompany her and share what seemed to be a surreal, yet, long-awaited opportunity to represent the Nation of Islam on a world-wide platform that was specially created to showcase modest fashion.

Hassanah Muhammad (Rialto, Calif.), Harmoni Muhammad (Los Angeles), Summayah Muhammad (Rialto, Calif.), Nzinga Muhammad (Rialto, Calif.), this writer Ebony Saffiyah Muhammad (Houston), Scherri Muhammad (Rialto, Calif.), Georgette Muhammad (Rialto, Calif.) and Sonya Muhammad (Calhoun, La.) were among the delighted band of M.G.T. and G.C.C. to take part in the nine day fashion expedition. Along with them was Mikal Muhammad (Los Angeles) who served as the group’s security to ensure the safety of the sisters while in Italy.

“It was such a blessing to be in Torino, Italy at the invitation of Sister Carmin Muhammad, to represent the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad,” expressed Georgette Muhammad, a fellow designer and owner of Freedom Apparel.

“When we came through as sisters and they (people of Torino) saw us dressed in the garment in the same style, everyone was in awe of us,” explained Scherri Muhammad, who assisted as the traveling manager of the Al Nisa Designs collection.

No one could have prepared the group of Muslim women for the reception, support, love and attention that was showered upon them during the whole week in Torino. Even during what was considered “down time” when the group toured the city on foot in their modest Muslim attire and draped scarves, people were drawn to them recognizing that there was something different and special about them. All praises are due to Allah (God)!

On multiple occasions, special accommodations were made for them at dinner to be seated in the area of their choice, that was modest and secure. The video footage produced by the writer of this article Ebony S. Muhammad the publisher of Hurt2Healing Magazine, offered a behind the scenes look at all four days Al Nisa Designs took part in Torino Fashion Week. The video presentations displayed the business networking events and workshops that were facilitated. The debut night of Al Nisa Designs was captured as well as reactions from attendees from all over the world.

The Torino Fashion Week awards ceremony, where Carmin Muhammad received the Top Three Designer award from Ala Hamdan and the Louis Vuitton honorary brand award was recorded and released online for the world to view.

“My goal in filming this entire fashion week was to showcase to the world of what Master Fard Muhammad, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan are producing inside the women and girls in the Nation of Islam, and to bring everyone along for the experience,” said Ebony S. Muhammad.

“When we were walking around in our uniform, it’s not like when we walk around in America. It’s different. It’s kind of like they know what they’re looking at,” said Nzinga Muhammad, an Al Nisa Designs assistant who captured the fashion show video footage seen in the day 4 video compilation.

One thing is for sure, Carmin Muhammad and her team made a lasting impression on the entire city. Various newspapers and media outlets featured images of the M.G.T, referring to the group as “The Pink Ladies In Hijabs.” Photos of the Al Nisa Designs team were featured throughout the official Torino Fashion Week Facebook page. Carmin Muhammad conducted multiple interviews, with Modest Magazine as well as RAI Italia Television. Immediately following the debut night, various news outlets released coverage with headlines referring to how Al Nisa Designs “stole the show.”

Watch the footage below from the Torino Fashion Week Awards Ceremony in Italy produced by Ebony S. Muhammad of Hurt2Healing Magazine!!! As we previously reported, Sister Carmen Muhammad’s Al-Nisa Designs was listed as top designers and received a full branding package by Ala Hamdan, world renowned film producer/corporate image mogul. Also, was presented with the main award, the Louis Vuitton Fashion Award that includes marketing, branding, etc!

During the highly-acclaimed fashion extravaganza, the International Design Council, Mercedes Benz and Torino is hosting the first ever segment of modest designers.

Over 125 participants from around the world are participating in this 5 day event, which includes designers, buyers, manufactures, fabric retailers, brokers, investors, etc. All designers are slated to have there own individual shows.

“There are five from the United States, and to my knowledge, I’m the only Black designer participating. It is so humbling. I’ve seen the profiles of a lot of the modest designers, and their designs are very impressive, and it’s evident that they have real financial backing,” Muhammad remarks.

She was invited to participate as one of the Islamic Fashion & Design Council’s (IFDC) designers, because her Al Nisa Brand Designs’ expression of true femininity.

“I’m still overwhelmed to have the opportunity as an up-and-coming Muslim designer from the United States to showcase my collection on a world stage with other modest clothing designers from around the world. For me it is extremely humbling because my collection has been inspired by my faith and my conviction to righteousness as a God-fearing women,” says Muhammad. “Today we are witnessing a new era in fashion and how we define beauty. We are embracing and acknowledging that culture and lifestyle is the new expression of designers and is the go-to factor in the process of creating looks and trends,” she adds.

Muhammad thanks IFDC Chairwoman Alia Khan for the great invite, which includes an opportunity to receive the LUXURY AWARD. That comes with an invitation to showcase their collection in Paris, exclusively at Sommet International de la Mode, as well as a VIP invitation to take meetings at select luxury companies in Paris, participate in a photo shoot and more!

Djamila Kerdoun, Sommet International de la Mode founder, states it’s nice to see the historic moment where for the first time a mainstream fashion week is officially recognizing a modest fashion category through IFDC’s great global work, indicates an IFDC press release detailing the historic event.

“We’ve always tried to create more viable opportunities for everyone in the fashion and design space so that we can bring true opportunities to designers and our partners. There’s a need for the leaders of the fashion industry to consider new ways to open doors for designers otherwise fashion events can often be a futile exercise. I believe we are tapping into great potential at TFW and this is just the beginning,” states Khan in the IFDC release.

She feels the greater blessing is to experience it all after the month of Ramadan, and her journey of praying, fasting, and cleansing to become closer to Allah (God). She plans to enjoy the experience as a student and soak up all the knowledge she may receive.

Carmin Muhammad emphasis the opportunity is much bigger than the Al Nisa brand. “Participating in this event provides a gateway into an industry that has in the past not acknowledge or provided a platform for Black designers, who have stylish, cutting-edge designs that would appeal to the masses of stylish women regardless of their religion, race or profession – designs that are for modestly dressed women from every corner of the world, all 196,940,000 square miles of it,” Muhammad states.

About Al Nisa Brand Designs:

Carmin Muhammad established Al Nisa Designs’ roots in the mid-90’s, with timeless, tailored clothing for modestly dressed women. The force behind this passion came by way of fulfilling a much needed personal desire to be stylishly dressed as a modest, young, woman. For nearly two decades, Muhammad has provided tailored, custom clothing to women around the country. Al Nisa, “The Women,” is a brand designed to create an emotional connection to a segment of modest buyers. The collection’s pieces include tailored suiting, sportswear, special occasion dresses, denim, and a couture line. See at Al Nisa Fashion Brand Designs website / Instagram!

About Islamic Fashion and Design Council:

Islamic Fashion and Design Council (IFDC) is the world’s leading modest fashion and design council representing the Islamic economy and its stakeholders. IFDC, a leading advocate for Islamic fashion, art and design professionals and aspiring talent, has an array of products, services, and effective training programs for all levels. For more information please visit www.IFDCouncil.org.

Ebony S. Muhammad (EM): There is a very historic fashion week taking place, the first of its kind and you have been invited to be part of this incredible event! What exactly is taking place and how were you brought on board as a designer?

Carmin Muhammad (CM):Yes ma’am. First I’d like to start by saying As-Salaam Alaikum and Ramadan Mubarak to all my extended family of believers and your audience of readers.

This historic and amazing event is the Torino Fashion Week in Italy June 29- July 5, 2017. A couple of weeks ago I was blessed to meet a very powerful individual Alia Khan Chairwomen and founder of the International Design Council of Dubai via a business associate. This meeting ultimately lead to me receiving a personal invitation from Ms. Khan to be a part of Torino Fashion Week. She informed me that the International Design Council , and Mercedes Benz and Torino would be hosting at this major fashion Week the first ever segment of modest designers at a major fashion week event. She went on to state that never before had this ever occurred in the history of main stream fashion. And if you were to compare the growth of modest fashion to a country it would be the third largest in the world. Sister Ebony, let me tell you I cried like a newborn baby for three days thanking Allah for this wonderful blessing. Honestly, I’m still overwhelmed to have the opportunity to represent myself as a Muslim Girl Training and General Civilization Class (MGT-GCC) on a world stage while showcasing my collection, is so humbling. I can share Al-Nisa Designs that have been inspired by this great teaching.

EM: This is an all Islamic fashion week. Exactly how many designers will convene in Italy? What are you most excited about and how do you anticipate the spirit will be especially coming right out of Ramadan?

CM: This show is a mainstream Fashion Week Show with your powerhouse major players in the Industry like Louis Vuitton and others. The only difference is that now modest fashion designers will have their own segment of scheduled shows over the weekend. There are over 125 modest designers from around the world participating, and we all have our own individual shows. There are five from the United States, and to my knowledge I’m the only Black Designer participating. It is so humbling. I’ve seen the profiles of a lot of the modest designers, and their designs are very impressive and it’s evident that they have real financial backing. The greater blessing is to experience this following the month of Ramadan; after a journey of Praying, Fasting, and cleansing oneself to become closer to Allah. Your spirit has been renewed. For me to receive a blessing like this at the onset of Ramadan, was a personal affirmation of Allah saying, “I see you little sister making your bean soup, I see you obeying the Restrictive Laws, I see you getting up for prayer, I see you fasting, I see you paying your charity I, Allah, see you. I see all your good, and there is a reward for your good.” Nothing goes unnoticed by God.

EM: Does this Torino Fashion Week mean for you and Al-Nisa Designs? What do you see coming from such an amazing opportunity in the near and distant future?

CM: First I ‘d like to say that for me this opportunity is so much bigger than Al-Nisa Designs. It’s about the Women of the Nation Of Islam and the Women of the world, all 196,940.000 square miles. It’s about A New Dress, A New Mind and A New Women. What I see is an opportunity to educate myself in an up close and personal way about the business of fashion and manufacturing. There is a science to business, and we have not been taught that. Over this weekend I will have scheduled meetings with buyers, investors, manufactures, wholesale high end fabric brokers etc. There will be individuals present from every aspect of the fashion business, therefore, I plan to be a student and soak up all the knowledge I can receive.

The goal is to be in a position in the near future to not just design my line, but to produce my own clothing, while providing my sisters from around the world with beautiful cutting edge fashions. This year alone in the region of the Gulf, it has been estimated that women’s clothing will top gross sales at about $486 million, $150 million more than last year’s earnings. Amazing!

EM: Is there anything else you would like to add?

CM: Yes I’d like to say thank you to all the Sisters of my faith and Women who have inspired me with the support of purchasing Al-Nisa Deisgns over the past 20 plus years! All praises are due to Allah! Along the way there have been many bumps and bruises, setbacks and hiccups, but by the grace of all mighty God, Allah, we have endured the trial and it has brought me to where I ‘ma today. Hard trails are necessary to establish truth. All Praises are due to Allah.

Every day I receive news from the International Design Council and the Organizers of this event important updates about the show. Some of the exciting announcements have been that there will be four designers selected as top finalist. The judges of the modest designers category will include the Louis Vuitton Ambassador and other elite designers from main stream fashion. The designers selected as finalist will receive amazing opportunities that will include deals with Louis Vuitton and others, a media and print ad campaign all over Paris, displays of their designs at top Paris showrooms. Also because of the historical significant the show is now scheduled to be filmed by an award winning film producer to be shown in various countries from around the world.

I’m asking for your love and prayers for our success. At The forefront of my thoughts are the words of Master Fard Muhammad when He said, “I can tell everyone that the most beautiful nation is in the wilderness of North America”. And I will stand proud and tall as an MGT in Italy on that runway Insha’Allah, because this is who I am and this is where Allah Has brought me!

Friends of Al-Nisa Designs in support of the Italy debut would like to offer you the opportunity to support a worthy cause. Together we can make a difference. (www.gofundme.com/alnisadesigns).

It is reported that Islamic fashion represents $237 billion in retail annually, which is nothing to wink at. Vogue Magazine recently released its Vogue Arabia edition that features modestly dressed women and Muslim culture from that region, which conveys that modesty is not confined nor that it’s to be seen as unattractive. However, this is nothing new to the women in the Nation Of Islam! Sister Carmin Muhammad, Designer and Owner of Al-Nisa Designs says that she plans to take her line to the next level.

With only a little over a month beyond the first annual Islamic Fashion Weekend held in Atlanta (Oct. 13-16), Mrs. Muhammad has her eyes set on introducing her line and the lines of other Designers in Dubai, Allah willing. This event will take place before an International audience of Middle Eastern women at the first ever Eid Celebration fashion showcase to be held as one of the country’s celebrations on the first day of Eid June 25, 2017 in Dubai. This will also be the first time a fashion event has ever been hosted during there three nights of official celebrations that attract millions from around the region. In a recent interview with Hurt2Healing Magazine, the high fashion designer stated, “We decided that we would do this international show in Dubai where we will introduce the women Islamic designers from our country to the women in that region and be able to see the fabulous fashion to purchase, partake in and wear.”

Along with introducing Dubai to the Islamic designers from the United States, Mrs. Muhammad stated that her international Islamic Fashion Week will hopefully one day serve as a platform for e-commerce and business trade. “The second part of that is to bring the two cultures together, because at the end of the day we’re all Muslim and Modest dressed women who love to look beautiful while promoting our faith. We are going to change the way the world sees fashion as it pertains to Islam”, she explained.

Yet, her eyes are not only focused on bringing the Islamic cultures together, she has opened some of the designs from her line to women of various religions and cultures. Al-Nisa Designs will cater to women in politics, entertainment, women who are mothers, and in general who ultimately want to look and feel attractive.

Beginning now through December 6th, Al-Nisa Designs has launched its Winter Flash Sale, where women from all over can place their orders and expect to receive them as soon as late January of 2017. There are approximately 8-10 pieces to select from with various color choices to offer a more custom experience.

Orders can be placed by emailing: orders@thealnisadesigns.com. Mrs. Muhammad believes in giving her customers the best service, therefore, she has a team of Brand Representatives who will be contacting each customer directly, after receiving their email of interest, to complete their orders and to take questions that may arise during the process.

Again, Sister Carmin Muhammad is taking Al-Nisa Designs to the next level, hence, to be of further assistance she and her team of experts will be hosting a live Q/A this coming Thursday, Dec. 1st at 6p (CST), to respond to each question and concern regarding orders.The Dial-in: 319.527.9172, Access Code: 234261. I heard she plans to make a very exciting announcement that you definitely want to be the first to hear!

“I want the world to witness an evolution of cutting edge fashion – the beginning of the purification process that takes place when you decide to be a modestly dressed woman”. – Carmin Muhammad, Designer/Owner of Al-Nisa Designs

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